health + HAPPINESS
TOP 10 Grocery Store Tips for People with Diabetes
BY » Martin Rose
F
Be a Smart Shopper 14 LimitlessMagOnline.com | March 2021
or people with diabetes, smart grocery shopping and healthy eating play a key role in keeping blood sugar in the target range. We collaborated with Cheryl Kuhta-Sutter, RDN, LDN, a dietitian with Novant Health in Huntersville, to create these tips for smart grocery store shopping. Here’s what you should know: • Whole, clean food that is minimally processed will have the most nutrients and nourish your body. Food with a mixture of nutrients such as healthy fats, proteins and carbs keeps your blood sugar from spiking. • Aim for five items or less in the ingredient list. If this isn’t possible, compare other similar items and choose the one with fewer ingredients. • Planning saves prep time and creates balanced meals. The online tool My Plate (myplate. gov) can teach you how to create balanced, healthy meals. In the MyPlate model, half the plate is a non-starchy veggie, one-quarter is a lean protein and one-quarter is a whole grain or starch. When menu planning is complete, make your grocery list and stick to your list. • Don’t shop on an empty stomach – Grocery shopping when hungry makes you more tempted to put sweets and treats in the cart. Check your blood sugar before grocery
